Doing A National Trust Internship Changed My Life For The Better.

Me

As im sadly on my last day of my Community Ranger Internship I wanted to tell my story of how this Internship has really changed my life for the better, and hopefully to also help and inspire others. Not only the people who are going through what I did but also for loved ones who are trying to help those going through dark times. The simplicity and beauty of nature and a wonderful understanding team have quite literally put a smile and happiness back in my life.

Four years ago my life was not a happy one. I was in a violent and abusive relationship, in which I lost my self-respect, confidence, sense of purpose and very nearly the sight in my right eye. I suffered depression, wasn’t working, some days I stayed home as I couldn’t face the world, and I’d have to get drunk if I did go out. Previously I’d battled other drug addictions and turned to alcohol and cannabis to get me through everyday. I ran up debt because drink and smoke was all that mattered. I got into trouble with the police on a couple of occasions, and had I got in trouble again I would’ve been looking at going to prison.

Then sadly my friend died, doing something he absolutely loved, flying his kite up Dunstable Downs. It was a massive shock. But I decided the only way to deal with it was by changing, and changing for the better to try and  find some sort of positive out of a very cruel negative. This started with getting out of the relationship I was in. That wasn’t easy but I did it. I went to my doctor and asked for contacts of people who could help with alcohol problems. He advised me to go to James Kingham. I very nearly didn’t make that first appointment even with a friend along. But I was made to feel at ease, and that id come to a good place, but I did continue to struggle with my drinking especially when a few months later I was evicted from home.

Life seemed even blacker. Homeless, staying on a friend’s sofa, my belongings at my mum’s. I decided to get help with my cannabis use as well. Together James Kingham and Addaction helped me realise that I did have a problem, but I wasn’t alone and there had to be something behind it. They taught me to recognise my triggers and slowly start to control them. More importantly they taught me not to be so hard on myself. No one chooses to have an addiction, it’s a coping mechanism, a way of escaping misery. Addaction referred me to Bromford Support. I remember my first meeting there. I was petrified, having to meet and learn to trust another new person. With support from Addaction I slowly relaxed and was assigned a support worker with Bromford support.

I was homeless for 6 months. Bromford supported me not just with getting a flat through the council, but more importantly I had someone who listened, who didn’t laugh at me or put me down, who gently nudged me in the right direction if I was struggling, and that was a lot! Even after getting the flat life was still a battle, my first time living on my own with bills to pay and still struggling with my addictions. Bromford help me deal with talking to energy companies, managing my money and my mental health. It makes such a difference having someone to help you through everyday life, and slowly my confidence grew.

I rescued a kitten and called him Harley and now he’s my best friend. Having that little life to look after made me feel better and he’s more than happy to give me all the cuddles I need! I also started sorting out my gardens at home, and taught myself to brick lay, make a ramp for my scooter. Cut down the trees and build a fence from pallets, I found my love for gardening. And it was just in time as I then received counselling, it was defiantly the hardest thing in my life so far. It was so good to talk about the issues I’d carried for years and finally put them to rest. I found in order to fix yourself you have to take yourself apart. Bromford supported me with this and encouraged me to think about getting back into work. But i knew i wasn’t ready to jump into a Full time job, as my issues were still an everyday battle. Then a friend suggested to me about volunteering up Dunstable Downs, it’s a place I’ve always loved.

So I got in contact with the National Trust and I started volunteering in November of last year, just doing 1 day a week but it really did start making a real difference in my life. Rose, Community Ranger, saw my passion for the great outdoors and love of wildlife and suggested to me the role of Community Ranger Intern was coming up. I didnt think i’d get it, or be good enough and very nearly didn’t apply but im so glad i did.

On my first day being given my uniform nearly made me cry, just feeling part of a team, and something good. These six months haven’t always been easy, but then if it was easy it wouldn’t have been worth it. I now have a sense of purpose, my self confidence back, ive conquered my addictions and most importantly im happy and smiling again.

Working with nature and a fantastic team is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’ve achieved so much not just with the National Trust but personally as well. The word ‘cant’ is no longer in my vocabulary, something i never thought i’d say seven months ago!

Its not easy getting out of ‘hell’ and it may mean like it did for me, shutting yourself off from the world and changing everything about it including your circle of friends but it is worth it in the end. Mother nature REALLY can help and look after you if you let her. Dont be afraid to ask for help and stick with it YOU CAN heal yourself.

Finally thank you to JKP, Addaction, Counselling Service, everyone at Bromford, my friends and partner. My biggest thank you though goes to Rose Roberts for giving me this oppotunity and for believing i could do it and listening and encouraging me when life was still a struggle.

The sunshine is well and truly back in my life 🙂

A weekend of walks with Ranger Jon and Ranger Jess. (Sat)

Starting from Dunstable Downs.

Saturday the 7th of September saw the start of Bedfordshire walking festival, (www.bedswalkfest.co.uk) so Ranger Jon and myself led a group of keen walkers on a circular walk from Dunstable Downs around Totternhoe Knolls. This was an 8 mile (well actually I think 9 mile!) walk packed with loads of information from Jon about the Downs, Totternhoe and surrounding parts. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and so clear that you could see the now disused towers of Didcot in one direction and for miles in every other.

Pascombe Pit in the sunshine.

Our walk took us along the Downs past the Five Knolls down the sledging slope and across the pegasus crossing, this was a new experience. A pegasus crossing is what horse riders use to get across roads safely, it even has a picture of a horse on the crossing lights!

We then headed down the Green Lanes; a great spot for elderberries, blackberries, and raspberries. This takes you past Maiden Bower an iron age fort. My first time down the Green Lanes and first time seeing Maiden Bower. I’ve lost count now of how many first’s I’ve achieved in this role, in fact there were a few more on this walk!

Maiden Bower

Onwards down the Green Lanes were we arrived at Totternhoe Quarry.

The old Quarry

No longer used but it provides some lovely scenic walks, and a diverse wildlife habitat. Totternhoe is famous for its stone, which has been used in St Albans and Woburn Abbey’s.

Totterhoe stone.

Our final point on the walk was Totternhoe Knolls a 11th-century Norman motte and bailey castle, and a rareity as it has three bailey’s.

The short but steep climb up to Knolls.

Our reward for our physical exertion was a fantastic panoramic view, incorporating Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Downs and Aylesbury Vale. I could’ve stood and looked for hours.

Totterhoe trig point and view.

Whilst walking back through Totternhoe we were blessed to see a pair of Red Kites only about 30 feet above us, almost dancing with each other on the wind. It was definatly worth a 5 minute pause on our walk to take in the spectacular show. Then onwards and upwards, quite literally! back to the Visitor centre.

The climb back up the Downs.

From one end of the Chilterns to the other (part two).

Radnage Valley

 

This time our Chilterns visit took us to Buckinghamshire; to Radnage Valley and Lodge Hill which are in between Princes Risborough and Stokenchurch. Another beautiful part of the country only 40 minutes away and no traffic jams on motorways to get there :).

Radnage Valley has been identified as one Buckinghamshire’s most important areas for biodiversity which means there are lots and lots of different species that inhabit the area.

Lovely Orchids

After the compulsary cup of tea we set off in glorious sunshine to Yoesden wood and bank. WOW I can see from the first of our site visits of the day why its named as one of the most diverse areas of Buckinghamshire. Yoesden Bank is a steep sided stretch of chalk grassland to the east of Radnage Church, with a sea of colour from all the different flowers and many different species of Butterfly.The wood is predominantly old beech trees which at some point were used by our ancestors because remains of  flint tools can be found at the base of the trees.

Beautiful!

What was amazing was a view of Red Kites i’d never seen before, we were able to look down on them as they soared on the thermals (pockets of air) rising from the bank, looking for their food. Magnificent birds of prey with a wingspan of 175–179 cm; that’s longer than most people’s arm span, fingertip to fingertip!

 

Red Kite soaring on the thermals.

On to Andridge Common whichis one of the smallest in the country. It was enclosed in 1860. A strange Common in fact very un-common-like! Predominantly scrub at the moment, but in the open parts it was alive with flowers and wildlife.

Our next visit was Rivernoak Farm, a small farm with stunning views of Yoesden Bank and endless miles of countryside. The owners are working to slowly remove the scrub and restore the habitat back to open chalk grassland.

Overlooking Yoesden Bank.

After lunch and with the sun beating down (and my shoulders turning a lovely shade of red) we went to Lodge Hill and Drovers Farm. Lodge Hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest made up of grazing and woodland. Its a small family run farm which is completely organic. They work with Mother Nature to not only produce the best product they can (the apple juice is the best I’ve ever tasted!) but also to help plant life and animal life as much as possible.  They’re clearing scrub to stop the decline of the chalk grassland, some of this is helped by animal grazing. Planting new Hazel to be coppiced for sustainable fuel and the new hedgerows also in place are providing homes for wildlife. They put ‘Hare gates’ within the new fences so the Hares can continue to roam just as they did before the fences were there. They’re careful about the grass they sow and do not use fertilisers only natural compost “teas” to avoid disturbing the natural eco system. They have even installed solar panels to provide the farm with renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint. The dedication and hardwork of the farm owner is awe inspiring, working every day for over 12 hours and in all weather conditions.

Lodge Hill.

An altogether informative and inspiring day, with some very interesting talks and some very dedicated people. I feel very privileged to have seen both ends of the Chilterns, and the challenges managing these chalklands brings, and just being given a chance to see some beautiful places that i would never have known even knew existed. There are some very dedicated people out there and the countryside is in good hands :). Its fair to say I Love my job :).

From one end of the Chilterns to the other. (Part one)

Our Host’s (on the left) lovely cottage.

Myself and Rose were invited by the Chilterns Common’s Project to Ashampstead and BuckleburyCommons both situated in the beautiful county of Berkshire, north of the M4 motorway.

Our host, Dick Greenway has lived in his lovely cottage on the edge of Ashampstead for 42 years. I can understand why. The cottage is believed to be from the 15th century and set in stunning countryside, and completely off the beaten track. I would certainly move in there tomorrow, well if Dick wanted to sell and I’d won the lottery!

Ashampstead and burnt hill common are about 80 hectares in size.  The soils range from infertile acid Berkamstead Series to calcareous Icknield Series. There is also a surface of chalk throughout. In the mid 13th century it is believed the Commons were pasture woodland which were enclosed by the lord of the manor to form a deer park.

Veteran tree, on the gin and tonic toddle!

After a much needed cup of tea we set out on the Seven Trees Trail. The trail is literally what it says, a woodlands walk with seven veteran trees that are unmistakable landmarks on route. Or as the locals call it The Gin and Tonic Toddle! This is so called because you can pour yourself a ‘G n T’, with ice and a slice and get round the trail before your ice is melted. It wasn’t mentioned whether there was still gin and tonic left in the glass! And unfortunately there wasn’t any gin and tonic to test the theory ourselves :(.

A stunning Oak pollard

All of the trees are very distinctive, and it’s impossible to get lost because of this. This is shown by this Oak pollard above, so called because it was cut at head height to be able to make regular harvests for firewood and other uses. A tree being pollarded stops livestock being able to eat the new shoots as they grow back.

When we came out into the glade we were greeted by hundreds of lovely (even if they did make me sneeze!) foxgloves.

Foxgloves

After our lunch back at Dick’s cottage we headed off to Buckleberry common.

The Heathland of Buckleberry common.

Buckleberry common is one of the largest in Southern England at 900 acres. With a mixture of woodland and Heathland. I found it one of the strangest commons I’ve ever visited. It is mainly gravel under foot and has a large area of Heath land, which reminded me of being back in Wales. In the Second World War the Common was used as a transport depot and because of this, invasive vegetation started taking over. Bucklebury Common is privately owned by The Bucklebury Estate but is open for the general public to use.

I honestly didn’t realise the Chiltern’s went as far as Berkshire, but it was defiantly well worth the traffic jam on the way home to see it. Completely different chalk land to what we’re used to up Dunstable Downs. I would recommend a visit. Thanks again Dick for making us feel so welcome at your home and a very informative day :).

A night camp with the Rangers.

Checkout that sunset!

As part of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 and 3/4 we invited some families to come and camp on Dunstable Downs with the Rangers. After getting all the tents up I was in charge of cooking the chilli, good wholesome food to keep us warm throughout the night, and even better that it was cooked on the camp fire. You cant beat alfresco dining !

The families first task (well after they’d put up their tents, which I must add were all put up very expertly) was to walk barefoot in the grass. The mums and dads were a bit reluctant at first but they soon let out the big kid in themselves and thourghly enjoyed their stroll in the sunshine. Myself and Ranger Tom stayed behind to look after the food and managed to squeeze in a best of 3 on the giant connect 4!! It was a competition I lost :(, but great fun.

Squelch!

Once everyone had been fed and watered it was time to work it all off with a night walk. We left just before sunset, and what a beautiful one it was. Ranger Rose had great fun rolling down a hill with the children. That’s the great thing about being a Ranger it means we get to be big kids everyday :). Ranger Jon pointed out some of the rare orchids and other plants that love chalky grassland and we had a treat of seeing a kestrel getting its supper before going back to roost. There were plenty of slugs as well, of all different colours(!) which the kids loved. After our walk back up a very steep hill, (which didn’t diminish the kids energy) it was breakfast time for the bats. So armed with our bat boxes (these enable us to hear the bats, as they’re call is too high pitched to be heard by the human ear) the boxes change the sound to a frequency we can hear. We heard and saw quite a few pipastrelle bats which was amazing. Both the little and big kids enjoyed the experience!

Ranger Jon at his best.

Back to camp and it was time for toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate, which certainly went down a treat. Overlooked by a fantastic night sky, I think that’s one of the best parts of camping, especially when its a lovely clear night like we were blessed with.

After one of the best nights sleep ive had in ages it was my duty to cook all the happy campers their breakfast – it certainly woke me up cooking over the roaring fire! We were treated to a unexpected talk about a steam roller called Jenny and the Junior Rangers got to feed the pigs their breakfast and see where the chickens live. Then they were taken on a little tour of the Downs in our vehicles, great fun going over the lumps and bumps allong the way. The mums and dads were very grateful for more tea and coffee and the warmth of the campfire.

Happy piggies.

We were very lucky with very good weather and a great time was had by all, I could’ve quite easily camped another night! So could the kids, but I think Mums and Dads were definatly looking forward to sleeping in their own beds that night.

Another experience I’ve been very lucky to be involved with during my time as an intern, it was great to see the children loving the great outdoors and eager to learn everything they could. After all they’ll be the ones looking after it all in the future and they’ll do a fantastic job of it to.

A walk with the dawn chorus.

A lovely morning up Dunstable Downs

On Sunday morning I was very lucky to take part in the Dawn Chorus Walk, led by Mick from the RSPB. I must admit I’m normally more used to going to bed at 3.30am, not getting up, but it was definitely more than worth it.

It was very surreal arriving at the Chilterns Gateway Centre at 4.15am to a rather large group of happy people. The sun was just popping his head up over the horizon as we set off towards Chute Wood. As we got nearer to the woods, you could tell the birds were getting warmed up for they’re full song. First off was the distinctive call of the carrier crow, and for such  small birds the Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Bullfinch and Robin they can certainly make themselves heard! To the human ear it just sounds like beautiful bird song but for our little feathered friends its there way of telling other birds ‘yay we survived the night, I’m still here and keep off my patch!’.

Before heading off past the woods we were extremely lucky to see a Hare investigating the mornings offerings.

Morning!

Our next unexpected spot of the morning was a pipistrelle bat, making his way back to roost before the day took hold.

Night!

Onwards past the woodland, and the chorus is in full song now including Tree Creepers, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Sky Larks and even the odd Muntjac had something to add as well. In fact it was the first time I’ve actually seen a Sky Lark, you hear them everyday up the Downs, with their lovely song but there normally so high and so small you cant spot them.

A Sky Lark enjoying breakfast.

Not only was the chorus amazing so were the views and Ivinghoe Beacon could have easily been in the Alps as the cloud level was so low. I think its safe to say I’ve seen the Downs at all times of day now :). We finished our walk with breakfast at the Chilterns Gateway Centre, which was very well recieved and greatly needed. A big thank you to Mick for a informative and very enjoyable walk. I would thoroughly recommend The Dawn Chorus to anyone, its a great way to start the day.

Meetings and learnings

Its been a few weeks since I’ve written a blog, so thought it was about time I brought you all up to date with what I’ve been doing. There is a video blog too, which there will be more of, so pretty soon you’ll have had enough of me!

If you see this little scooter out and about..give it a beep and a wave, its me coming to see you!

Pre snowfall I had my first Rangers’ Meeting, at the lovely Westley Bottom. Now if i was an office bod, Westley would defiantly be the office I would want to spend my time in, a lovely old barn that’s been converted and has a great ambiance to it. In fact never mind working in it, I’d like to live in it!….Anyway, back to the Rangers meeting, it was good to meet the other Rangers from various properties, and get an insight into the various different roles that come under the job title of being a ‘Ranger’, and also to hear what problems Rangers experience and ways to solve these issues. It’s still surprising learning how diverse the job role is!!

After the meeting I briefly visited Wimpole. As it is lambing season I felt it my duty to make sure  the new borns were all present and correct :). What a fantastic farm, with many rare breeds. Not only were there lots of lambs, but lots of other baby animals as well. The pig feeding time (2pm) is certainly not to be missed, although I would recommend ear plugs, as it gets pretty noisy when them piggies spot the barrow coming round with lunch! They’re definitely well feed , some of the biggest porkers I’ve seen! I think though the cutest of the lot and who would have been snuck out under my coat (had I been wearing a larger one) was a little white calf with the longest eye lashes and a liking for my thumb, unfortunately for the calf my thumb didn’t provide much milk, but the calf certainly gave it a good go! Cant wait to go back and experience what else Wimpole has to offer….oh and take a bigger coat!

Aaaahh

It was back to Bury St Edmunds the next day for the National Trust’s Spring Conference, for everybody in the East of England. Although us Rangers found it hard sitting still for so long it was great to meet new people and very inspiring hearing the various different speakers throughout the day, and great to hear of the transformations that were happening at different properties. I think the best bit for me was the slide shows of the properties and hearing the cheers as each property came on-screen, showing their achievements, you could feel the passion for all the wonderful places we look after, and Im very happy, to be a member of this great team . I’m old enough (but not wise enough….yet!) to realise that in life, action has consequence but it was really hit home to me by John Sizer, property manager of Blakeney. We want greener energy with wind turbines but this comes with great loss to bird life, as they unwittingly fly into the rotating blades. People want to get closer to the seals that live on the sand banks, but then seals are killed in the boats propellers. We want people to come and see and experience but then in doing so, nesting birds and breeding seals are stressed and there is more loss of life. What a fine balance it is between man, environment and wildlife. Something I’m learning more and more each day.

Hills and hedges – Through the eyes of a Ranger Intern

Written by Jess, Community Ranger Intern

Trimming up the hedge and knocking it down into line ready to bind the tops

What a diverse job being a Ranger is!! I don’t think I’ve experienced a job role like it, but I’m very lucky to be doing so, and my sponge brain is defiantly a lot weightier than it was a week ago!

So this week I’ve been to Sundon Hills and Sharpenhoe Clappers.

Sundon Hills with its lovely rolling hills and little patches of woodland, and a old disused quarry that’s now home to lots of orchids and butterflies, and other wildlife. At the moment we don’t know as much as we would like to about the history of the place, but I may make it my mission!

Sharpenhoe  Clappers, another lovely piece of woodland on top of a hill, which is home to an Iron Age hill Fort and medieval rabbit warren. Both these sites required some litter picking from their car parks. Why cant people people just take their litter home? Its saddening how much damage litter can cause to the environment and the wildlife that inhabits it, and Fly Tipping? I will never understand. Why not just take it to the tip? Surely a lot easier than driving around to find somewhere, and a lot kinder on the countryside too.

 This Wednesday the Ranger team visited Travel Choices for a brainstorming afternoon. We looked at how we can make the Downs more accessible for people without their own transport and better ways of getting our local community outdoors and closer to nature. I, like many people, take it for granted how easy it is to get about when you have your own transport. It was interesting to find out there are things out there and places to go to get help and maybe even borrow a push bike!

 

Feeding our feathered friends is defiantly one of my favourite tasks, and although it’s evaded my eyes, a Brambling has been spotted at our feeding tables! Another favourite task is being out in the countryside, getting stuck in to whatever needs doing to keep the countryside in check. So I was out with the volunteers for a day, preparing the hedges that were going to be laid. Although more time consuming than getting your tractor out and flailing the hedges, hedge laying is not only interesting and more rewarding, (well I think so!) it doesn’t need doing again for several years, unlike flailing which needs doing annually. Our carbon footprint was better as we used vastly less fuel than a tractor (just a bit for the chainsaws). We also cleared a footpath of all the dead leaves and the boggy mud, better than any gym session!. So not only am I going to be a wealth of knowledgeable I’m going to have muscles like Arnie as well! It’s all good 🙂 

Working with the midweek volunteers to prepare stakes for hedging.

I have also been looking through all the old photos of Dunstable Downs. The Orange Rolling looked like a great day out, such a shame we’re not still able to do that, mind I think I’d have to roll a lemon, just to be different! It’s interesting to see how much things change over the years, and in fact I think I’ve developed a bit of a love of history since starting my internship. It’s been a great week, no two days are ever the same, I have all my uniform and feel well n truly part of the team. My only bad thought about the week, why do people feel the need to leave litter?

Crowds gather for orange rolling on Dunstable Downs

My First Day As An Intern.

As always, a good place to start is the beginning, so let me introduce myself. My name is Jess, I’m 35 and I’m the new Community Ranger intern at Dunstable Downs.

Me

From childhood I have always loved the outdoors and wildlife, and after being turned down for the Army I spent my working life until now not really knowing what it was I wanted to do. Always feeling there was something more, but not really knowing what it was.

I have spent many happy hours on the Downs throughout my life, and was taught power kiting up here by my friend Marcus, who sadly died flying his kite here. He loved the Downs as much as I do, and so it seemed only fitting to start volunteering up here and to be able to give something back, for him and for me.

I started volunteering for the countryside team in November of last year and absoloutly loved it, so much so that I applied for the Internship, and was on the top of the world when I was told that I’d been successful, and I was starting on the 27th Febuary.

I woke that morning like an excited child on Christmas morning, wondering what the next 6 months are going to bring, how much am I going to learn? and all the new opportunities that are going to come my way. My day started at 9am and when I arrived I was presented with my login details and a National Trust jacket. I instantly felt part of the team 🙂 I spent a lot of my first morning looking through the National Trust Intranet……WOW!!! I knew there was a lot to the National Trust but I didn’t realise quite how much. A never ending source of information…LOVE IT!!. My brain is now a sponge :)!!

The other part of my morning was spent watching the wild birds that feed from our bird feeders right outside the office window, a million times better than any TV programme. There are Blue Tits, Great Tits, Nuthatches, Bullfinches, Chaffinches, Robins, Greenfinches, even a Great Spotted Woodpecker and probably more but I cant spend all day looking out the window………can I?

In the afternoon I was taken for a bit of a tour of some of our land that we look after. This started with Whipsnade Heath, a lovely piece of woodland, including a 800 year old tree called Witches Beech. Then onto Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. The amount of times I have driven past it and not even realised it was there!! I’d also never heard of a Tree Cathedral before even though I’ve been to Willen Lake in Milton Keynes on countless occasions!

After this was Whipsnade Downs. We said hi to the Wallabys, Muntjac Deer and Penguins in Whipsnade Zoo. They can be seen from the road, known as Bison Hill, thus called because Bison have lived in the field next to the road for 80 years.The last part of the tour was back up Dunstable Downs, which even on the cloudiest days is one of my favourite places to be. The view never ceases to amaze me, apart from in fog!!!

I learnt so much on my first day, Geocaching?? I guess can only be described as the modern day version of orienteering. Coppicing and pollarding which was used a great deal in the old days to encourage trees to grow more timber thus making the trees more profitable. Dunstable Downs is the highest point in Bedfordshire at 800 feet/ 243m above sea level. We have Sky Larks that come and nest in our meadows every year. But I think the thing I learnt most was,  I didn’t even know what was right on my own doorstep!! I hadn’t really explored my local area properly…but that has all now changed for the better :).

Even though my brain was fit to burst by the end of the day I absoloutely loved it, and the only bad thing I could say was my Internship only lasts 6 months!! Knowing what you finally want to do is such an awesome feeling.